Philippines flies to Thailand for AVC Cup

The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team is about to embark on a new journey.

Just days after the 2018 Asian Games, the National Team will look to gain more experience heading into the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the 2018 Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup. The event will take place from September 16-23 at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

“Again, our hopes are high. I hope the team would carry all the lessons they gained here and show improvement when we face other Asian teams again in Thailand,” said Philippines head coach Shaq delos Santos.

But unlike the team that finished eighth in the Asiad, the team will feature six new players.

The Rebisco-backed squad will not have Dawn Macandili, Majoy Baron, and Kianna Dy due to a trip to New York with the DLSU Lady Spikers. On the other hand, the Santiago sisters are in Japan to train with their club teams. Kim Fajardo is sitting this one out due to a right knee injury.

The Philippines will open its campaign against Australia on Sunday, September 16. The Nationals will then face Iran on Monday before capping their group stage campaign against Kazakhstan.

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.